youngcarpenter Posted July 9, 2016 Report Share Posted July 9, 2016 Hey crew hope everyone had a good fourth of july! So I recently started building furniture for my dad and am ready to buy a nail gun now due to my space in my garage and lack of outlets I have to buy a cordless one I'm building boxes for storage to be stacked on top of each other to look like a bookshelf kinda unit I'm also building a credenza and a few small tables My question is should I buy a finish nailer or a brad nailer first? Also can finish nails be used to make the boxes? Any and all advice or opinions will be extremely helpful thanks guys? Also and input on brands that you've used???? 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChrisK Posted July 9, 2016 Report Share Posted July 9, 2016 Andrew, in my humble opinion, if your going to be building furniture I would recommend a Brad nailer. Finish nailers are great but leave larger holes to be patched up and they nailers are thicker. With a Brad you can get really small fasteners to that work. Just an opinion but there you go! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JimboS1ice Posted July 9, 2016 Report Share Posted July 9, 2016 I have to agree with chris, brads are pretty much over rated but depending on what your working with, and the length of the brads you'll have really nice holding power, matched with some glue, you'll be good to go!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hugh Jass Posted July 9, 2016 Report Share Posted July 9, 2016 I have a 16g nailer and I find that it can be pretty universal as opposed to larger or smaller gauges. As Chris said the hole would be slightly larger but I take that for the universal nature that 16g gives you. You can use 16g for larger stuff that smaller nails simply have no effect on and smaller stuff as well by dialing down the power and using shorter nails, but tiny nails simply have no effect on larger items were strength is necessary. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JimboS1ice Posted July 9, 2016 Report Share Posted July 9, 2016 24 minutes ago, Hugh Jass said: I have a 16g nailer and I find that it can be pretty universal as opposed to larger or smaller gauges. As Chris said the hole would be slightly larger but I take that for the universal nature that 16g gives you. You can use 16g for larger stuff that smaller nails simply have no effect on and smaller stuff as well by dialing down the power and using shorter nails, but tiny nails simply have no effect on larger items were strength is necessary. Another valid point... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WigWagWorkshop Posted July 9, 2016 Report Share Posted July 9, 2016 Both lol.. 16, 18, and a 23.. oh and one of those multi staplers 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kruton Posted July 9, 2016 Report Share Posted July 9, 2016 I tend to grab the 18g for most jobs. A 23g is next on my list to buy Sent from my SM-N900V using Tapatalk 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JimboS1ice Posted July 9, 2016 Report Share Posted July 9, 2016 23g is actually an awesome size to have, you get virtually no hole and the holding power is actually pretty good Jimbo Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChrisK Posted July 9, 2016 Report Share Posted July 9, 2016 To be honest, I would never use a finish nailer in the construction of furniture building. The gauge is to large. In all honesty the nail is just being used to hold the two pieces together while the glue hardens which actually creates the solid joint. Think of this, the glued panels create a stronger joint than the wood itself. That's why if you've ever tried to pull a piece of molded paneling or decorative wood working from a panel it literally tears the wood fibers apart. The glued joint normally isn't the failure. For furniture work I would really stick to the Brad and the 23 gauge pinner. I have the 18v Makita pinner for those fine pieces where even a Brad might be too large. Also, if building a carcass, I would much rather use a screw over a nail. The finish nail gun shines when being used to moldings on walls, doors, windows etc. That's why I love my 20v Dewalt DCN660. I would be remiss in saying that my finish nailer isn't an important tool in my shop, I just don't use it for furniture work! I know you specifically asked about the Brad vs. Finish but it looks like your speaking to furniture building. If furniture is number one, I'd go with the pinner (23g) and the Brad (18g). I would most certainly grab a finish nailer though if you are doing general carpentry or finish carpentry. 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
youngcarpenter Posted July 10, 2016 Author Report Share Posted July 10, 2016 thank you I am still deciding between ryobi's 18v nailers an staplers or ridgids 18v nail guns Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChrisK Posted July 10, 2016 Report Share Posted July 10, 2016 10 hours ago, youngcarpenter said: thank you I am still deciding between ryobi's 18v nailers an staplers or ridgids 18v nail guns I can't speak to Ridgids but I did have a Ryobi Airstrike Brad. It was a great nailer that I bought used and eventually the firing pin began to not retract. I ended up using some nail gun lubrication which helped out quite a bit. Anyways. They make a great cordless nail gun. Ridgid is backed by lifetime warranty IF you buy from HD and IF you register. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DaveJr. Posted July 10, 2016 Report Share Posted July 10, 2016 I bought the Porter Cable deal that came with the compressor, 18 and 16 gauge nailers and the stapler from HD. For the little bit of trim work I have done, I used the 16 gauge. But for all my woodworking needs, I only use the 18 gauge brad nailer. Also I am not building fine furniture but an 18 gauge nailer should work good for you. This is the combo that I got. http://www.homedepot.com/p/Porter-Cable-6-Gal-Portable-Air-Compressor-16-Gauge-Nailer-18-Gauge-Brad-Nailer-Crown-Stapler-Combo-Kit-PCFP12234/203471431 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bremon Posted July 25, 2016 Report Share Posted July 25, 2016 I actually have this same question, but in my case, while I'll dabble with furniture when our house is finished towards year's end, in 4 weeks I'll be helping my parents re-do their window trim and baseboards in their house. It's a 2200 sq cedar log house, and the trim is pine I think. 16 gauge Dewalt, or 18g M18? I'll likely end up with both down the road but seeing as the first job is trim, which works better? Also, glue: required? Brads just hold the piece until the glue dries right? As usual there are many opinions and conflicting reports on the internet but I thought I'd get the straight talk from the TIA crew! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DaveJr. Posted July 25, 2016 Report Share Posted July 25, 2016 3 hours ago, Bremon said: I actually have this same question, but in my case, while I'll dabble with furniture when our house is finished towards year's end, in 4 weeks I'll be helping my parents re-do their window trim and baseboards in their house. It's a 2200 sq cedar log house, and the trim is pine I think. 16 gauge Dewalt, or 18g M18? I'll likely end up with both down the road but seeing as the first job is trim, which works better? Also, glue: required? Brads just hold the piece until the glue dries right? As usual there are many opinions and conflicting reports on the internet but I thought I'd get the straight talk from the TIA crew! I always use a 16 gauge nailer for trim work. Glue isn't required but I don't think it will hurt. I don't use it but I know some people swear by it and others, well......not so much. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bremon Posted July 25, 2016 Report Share Posted July 25, 2016 That's the direction I leaning, thanks Dave Jr. After the Oz Tool Talk review I was pretty much sold on the 20v Max Dewalt one haha. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dwain Posted July 25, 2016 Report Share Posted July 25, 2016 it's hard not to love. We'll be reviewing the FUEL 16GA and 15GA nailers soon too. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bremon Posted July 26, 2016 Report Share Posted July 26, 2016 Damn it Dwain, now I may have to wait for your final opinion! Though the 18g M18 seems easier to love, the nose on the other red guns seems unwieldy. Now that I'm in both systems cost is a wash anyway. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hugh Jass Posted July 26, 2016 Report Share Posted July 26, 2016 I wouldn't say this about many tools because I can find a flaw with anything, but I do not think the DCN660 can really be improved upon much. It operates flawlessly. It's accurate. It's ergonomic. Powerful as hell. Extremely reliable. It's a tool that literally doesn't need a sequel. There's no buyers remorse to be had. Unless... it literally could shoot different size nails on the fly with some kind of separate feed magazine. And I don't see that happening. Also it's very odd how you can't check the battery level while it's on the tool, and I wish the depth adjustment was numerical...but how minor is that. It delivers more than any tool I've ever used and I had high expectations to begin with. Good luck to any brand that tries to match it. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dwain Posted July 26, 2016 Report Share Posted July 26, 2016 that may be a couple of months Bremon. If you like the Dewalt 16GA, fear no remorse. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bremon Posted July 26, 2016 Report Share Posted July 26, 2016 Thanks for the vote of confidence Hugh! Dwain, I'm glad haha. Worst case scenario I'll end up with multiple guns, then gift one down the road. Looking forward to more OTT reviews! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hugh Jass Posted July 26, 2016 Report Share Posted July 26, 2016 5 minutes ago, Bremon said: Thanks for the vote of confidence Hugh! Dwain, I'm glad haha. Worst case scenario I'll end up with multiple guns, then gift one down the road. Looking forward to more OTT reviews! Man I've shot a little over 5,000 nails so far, I've had 2 jams, one of them I forced to see what it was like to clear... which are so easy to clear even Kim Kardashian could figure it out. I've never had to reset the motor switch. I've even shot nails into 1" cement board to secure while adhesive took hold. Damn thing just delivers. Consistently. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JimboS1ice Posted July 26, 2016 Report Share Posted July 26, 2016 Man I've shot a little over 5,000 nails so far, I've had 2 jams, one of them I forced to see what it was like to clear... which are so easy to clear even Kim Kardashian could figure it out. I've never had to reset the motor switch. I've even shot nails into 1" cement board to secure while adhesive took hold. Damn thing just delivers. Consistently. Didn't know she could figure anything out outside of showing some skin Jimbo Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hugh Jass Posted July 26, 2016 Report Share Posted July 26, 2016 24 minutes ago, JimboS1ice said: Didn't know she could figure anything out outside of showing some skin Jimbo Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk The list is short. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
overanalyze Posted July 26, 2016 Report Share Posted July 26, 2016 I think for shop work and finish guns a Senco 1010 compressor and air nailers are the best for you. Low cost, small space consumption, proven long term reliability of air. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pancing Posted July 27, 2016 Report Share Posted July 27, 2016 I always thought Crownstaplers were better for furniture, shows how much I know :< Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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